RICHMOND, VA., April 7, 1865
— 6 p.m.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
Meeting of five members of the Virginia legislature held
here to-day upon the President's propositions to Judge Campbell. The President
showed one the papers confidentially to-day. They are two in number, one
without address, the other letter to General Weitzel. The one states sine
qua non of reunion, and does not differ essentially from previous
statements. The second authorizes Weitzel to allow members of the body claiming
to be legislature of Virginia to meet here for purpose of recalling Virginia
soldiers from rebel armies, with safe conduct to them, so long as they do and
say nothing hostile to the United States. Judge Campbell laid these papers
before the five men, who met twice, but I am not advised that they took any
action. The President told me this morning that Sheridan seemed to be getting
Virginia soldiers out of the war faster than this legislature could think. By the
way, the troops captured by General Sheridan yesterday were those which left
Richmond Sunday night. They formed Lee's rear guard. Weitzel has not yet begun
issuing rations. He acts under General Ord's orders, approved by General Grant.
He is to pay for rations by selling captured property. Before beginning he is
to register the people, and give no one anything who does not take the oath. He
has authorized the churches to be opened next Sunday, on condition that no
disloyal sermons be preached. Episcopal ministers required to read the prayer
for the President. Railroad from here to Petersburg opened to-day. Of the
French tobacco, six warehouses full saved and one burned here. At Petersburg
all saved.
C. A. DANA.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I Volume
46, Part 3 (Serial No. 97), p. 619
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